Australian state to trial solar-powered 'smart' highways

Regional highways will gain self-adaptive electronic signage with machine learning capability as part of a $5 million technology trial in New South Wales.

Launched by the NSW Government, the new ‘Smarter Highways’ program will introduce several new and existing technologies to improve road safety in regional areas.

Most of the trial technologies are wireless solar-powered systems that have the potential to be adapted for use on local roads.

A total of five trials will be implemented in locations including the Great Western Highway, Kelso and Newell Highway, Dubbo and Victoria Pass.

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The headline initiative – Smarter Highway Activated Vehicle and Environmental Systems (SHAVES) – includes solar-powered, self-adaptive signage to warn motorists of environmental hazards, replacing the portable signs currently deployed in high-risk areas.

Each new sign is capable of displaying three different warning types, with full internet connectivity for real-time remote access. Trial locations for SHAVES haven’t yet been confirmed.

Also included in the $5 million package is a new form of traffic counter, coined the Road Pod Vehicle Magnetometer (VM).

Developed to reduce the time and cost associated with regular traffic surveys, the VM is a permanent counting device that can detect and provide constant information on vehicle volumes, classifications, speeds, headways, and road temperatures.

The counters can be installed in less than one hour, and are intended to monitor the impact of roadworks on traffic flows. Trial locations for VMs include the Great Western Highway, Kelso and Newell Highway, and Dubbo.

Intersections are another key focus of the Smarter Highways program. A new Rural Intersection Activated Warning System (RIAWS) will automatically instruct drivers on highways to slow down when a vehicle is approaching from a side road. This technology has been used in Victoria since 2019, first installed on the Glenelg Highway near Dunkeld.

Transport for NSW is looking to incorporate technology into traffic management during both planned and unplanned roadworks, while permanent traffic signals are set to be utilised at Victoria Pass in the Blue Mountains – a common breakdown location.

Vehicles often run into issues while queuing at Victoria Pass during peak holiday periods, causing significant delays. A new set of traffic lights will be stationed at the bottom of the hill to manage the flow of traffic when queues are detected, allowing safe access to the stranded vehicle.

A total of 1302 lives were lost on Australian roads last year, with NSW recording the most deaths of any state (340).

Over the Christmas and New Year holiday period alone, the NSW road toll increased by two-thirds compared to 12 months prior.